France team v Scotland: Fabien Galthie backs Le Bomb Squad to fire Les Blues to Six Nations title and makes crucial call on Antoine Dupont filler
Gregory Alldritt will take over the France captaincy this weekend, while Maxime Lucu also starts at 9.
Imposing back-rower Gregory Alldritt has been handed the French captaincy in the absence of star man Antoine Dupont, with Maxime Lucu coming in at scrum-half.
Elsewhere, head coach Fabien Galthie once again put his faith in Le Bomb Squad as he has named another 7-1 split on the bench.
France make two changes to 23-man squad for Scotland Test
Lucu, who starts for the first time in this year’s Championship, is one of two changes to France’s starting XV to take on Scotland this weekend, with experienced centre Gael Fickou coming in for Pierre-Louis Barrassi at 13.
That means Thomas Ramos is once again named at 15, with Bordeaux flyers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey once again on the wings.
Yoram Moefana retains his place at 12, joining the aforementioned Fickou in midfield, and Romain Ntamack starts at fly-half alongside Lucu.
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Skipper Alldritt retains his place at number eight, with Paul Boudehent and Francois Cros joining him in the back-row. Mickael Guillard – who has recently been nominated for the inaugural Rising Star award – starts alongside Thibaud Flament at lock, with Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka and Jean-Baptiste Gros named in the front-row.
Galthie has kept Le Bomb Squad intact from last weekend, with Julien Marchand, Cyrill Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou, Oscar Jegou and Antony Jelonch named as the seven forwards on the bench, while Nolann Le Garrec will is the only back named returning to the matchday squad after being dropped following the defeat to England in round two.
A bonus point win for Les Bleus this weekend would see them crowned Six Nations champions for the first time since 2022.
France squad v Scotland in full
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (C), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio 2, Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyrill Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Antony Jelonch, 23 Nolann le Garrec
Date: Saturday, March 15
Venue: Stade France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (SARU)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (RFU)
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